I would like to see a self launch glider, single seat, capable of aerobatics (similar to what the DG 1001 can do or better), made in Oz with add on winglets to increase the glide ratio for when I want to just stooge around for a few hours doing a navex. Now, that's what I would like, a rush from getting the aeros down pat before lunch and then some thermal adventures after lunch. Where can I buy this glider??? Light and a one man set up. Comes with a trailer so I can move it around Oz. Is this the type of glider that your 13.5m self launch going to be??
P.S. I have two gen Y sons, and I can tell you that they are interested in flying, but you have to leave your 50 year old comfort zone and get to where these young men are at. And one thing that needs more thought to get Gen Y or X into gliding is that these younger blokes are big. My two sons are 6' 4" & 6' 3" around 95kg. These new gliders need to be able to allow these blokes room to move. Get that right and then realise that they don't want to spend all day at the airfield, self launch is the future of gliding. The gliding clubs need to be catering for these tech savvy blokes, set up simulators and flying programs etc. Instead of talking about whatever with old mate get the clubs to start workshops on kit builds that all newbies contribute to on a volunteer basis with proven designs of the likes that Gary is working on. Teach them the theory of flight by getting them to build a glider, when its finished sell it and do another one, profit goes to the clubs.
Gliding is not dead, old school gliding is not moving fast enough to keep pace with the times. Unfortunately time moves much quicker today than yesterday, my sons play computer games and these stimulate their endorphins. They are seriously hard to keep entertained, we older folk are easy to please. Gen y, need their fix and gliding clubs need to appeal to gen y's "need to have it now" culture.
Just my thoughts
Enjoy the day men.
Keff